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Sports

Brazil Defeats Chile to Reach World Cup Quarters

Associated Press
Published | Updated

JOHANNESBURG -- Brazil moved closer to a sixth World Cup title on Monday, beating South American rival Chile 3-0 to reach the quarterfinals.

Juan, Luis Fabiano and Robinho scored a goal each for the Brazilians at Ellis Park.

Juan gave his team the lead in the 35th minute with a firm header from a corner, sending the ball into the upper left corner and past the outstretched arms of Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

Luis Fabiano added to the lead from a fast breakaway in the 38th, receiving a one-touch pass from Kaka and dribbling past Bravo inside the area before scoring into an open net. Robinho started the play with a run on the left side before finding Kaka at the edge of the area.

Robinho then scored his first goal of the tournament with a shot from the edge of the area in the 59th, receiving a pass from Ramires and shooting inside the far post.

It was Robinho's seventh goal in Brazil's last six matches against the Chileans.

Brazil will next face the Netherlands, which beat Slovakia 2-1 earlier Monday in Durban.

Chile became the first of the five South American teams to be eliminated from the World Cup. Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay are still in the tournament along with Brazil.

"We leave the tournament knowing that we gave everything on the pitch," Bravo said. "We are a very fragile team at times. We attack very well, but we have to know when to defend."

Brazil has now reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup every time since the 1990 tournament in Italy, when it lost to Argentina 1-0 in the second round. Brazil coach Dunga and assistant coach Jorginho were starters in that Brazilian team.

The victory in front of nearly 55,000 fans at Ellis Park extended Brazil's dominance over Chile.

It was the team's eighth consecutive win over its regional rival, and the result extended Brazil's unbeaten streak against the Chileans to 10 matches. The last loss came in a World Cup qualifier in 2000.

Led by Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, Chile was able to keep pace with the five-time champions in the beginning, threatening with some quick ball movement on offense to try to surprise the Brazilians.

But Brazil quickly gained control of the match and created some of the most dangerous opportunities. After Juan's first goal, the Brazilians took advantage of its speedy strikers to keep the pressure on the Chileans.

Bravo already had to work hard on a ninth-minute long-range shot by Gilberto Silva, diving to his left and barely tipping the ball wide. A minute later, Kaka's low shot from the edge of the area also missed.

Humberto Suazo, back in Chile's starting lineup after missing the match against Spain, gave the Chileans their first opportunity in the 13th, but his shot from just outside the box was easily saved by goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

The Brazilians wanted a penalty kick in the 27th when captain Lucio went down after a challenge by Pablo Contreras inside the area. Contreras appeared to touch Lucio's leg as the Brazilian tried to make a move.

The Chileans tried to keep possession in the second half, but were not able to significantly threaten Julio Cesar. Brazil kept creating the most dangerous chances on counterattacks.

Substitute Jorge Valdivia had one of Chile's few chances with a shot that sailed over the crossbar in the 66th. Suazo's shot from inside the area was saved by Julio Cesar in the 75th, and the striker also hit the top of the crossbar in the 78th.

Robinho almost added a second goal in the 74th, but Bravo mad a save on his low shot in another breakaway by the Brazilians. Robinho also had a goal disallowed for offside in the 77th.

Chile was trying to advance past the second round for the first time since its home tournament in 1962, when it eventually lost to Brazil in the semifinals. Chile had also lost to Brazil the last time it reached the round of 16, a 4-1 result in the 1998 tournament in France.

Brazil again was without regular starter Elano because of a right ankle injury, and Dunga also could not count on defensive midfielder Felipe Melo because of a left ankle problem.

Chile was without several regular starters, including central defenders Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce because of yellow card suspensions, while Marco Estrada missed the match after being sent off against Spain.